1/4. Intravascular occlusive therapy: use of interventional radiology in cancer patients.Selective transcatheter intravascular occlusion in the treatment of cancer patients is a valuable extension of interventional diagnostic radiology. Intra-arterial embolization may be performed with various substances, including autologous clot, autologous subcutaneous tissue, Gelfoam, and stainless steel coil. Clinical applications in cancer patients include control of gastrointestinal and genitourinary hemorrhage, preoperative reduction of tumor vascularity, control of local symptoms, and therapeutic reduction of tumor bulk. The technique has been used for preoperative and palliative treatment of neoplasms of the head and neck, kidney, liver, spleen, and soft tissue and bone. Transcatheter intravascular occlusion should be performed only by radiologists experienced in angiographic techniques. Inadvertent occlusion of a normal vessel and thromboembolism are possible complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = thromboembolism (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Exacerbation of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome after treatment of localized cancer: a report of two cases.patients with malignancy often present with a variety of coagulation abnormalities which may ultimately lead to recurrent arterial and venous thromboses. Recently the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in cancer patients has been proposed as one of the potential mechanisms promoting hypercoagulability. Here we report two consecutive patients with localized tumors, one suffering from breast cancer and another presenting with colorectal cancer, who experienced dramatic exacerbation of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS) within 4 weeks after surgery. In the first patient who had also received one course of adjuvant chemotherapy, major ischemic stroke and recurrent venous thromboembolism were paralleled by the development of ulcerative livedoid vasculitis and pancytopenia, constituting the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus with secondary APAS. In the second patient, progressive thrombotic occlusion of the superior and inferior vena cava was associated with bilateral pulmonary embolism, acute renal failure, and disabling soft tissue edema. Although not fulfilling the classic criteria of "catastrophic" APAS, the clinical features were life threatening and appeared to be refractory to oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon. In addition, a diagnosis of Trousseau's syndrome was unlikely due to missing evidence of gross metastatic disease. Besides a suggested treatment strategy comprising high doses of low-molecular-weight heparin, potential pathogenic mechanisms are discussed in consideration of a recently proposed "thrombotic storm," which may cause multiple thromboses after an initial provocation in patients with known hypercoagulability.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 18.358822060831keywords = venous thromboembolism, thromboembolism (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. thrombosis and anticoagulation in palliative care: an evolving clinical challenge.There is a clear recognition of the relationship between thrombosis and neoplastic diseases. In recent years, there have been a few reports dealing with some of the features of clinical progression and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in palliative care patients. In this report, we present four cases that describe some of the diverse aspects of this clinically challenging area to illustrate the symptom and quality of life issues for patients, and the management challenge for palliative care clinicians. Perhaps the most important issue in the palliative care setting is the need to balance the inconvenience of the various diagnostic and therapeutic options, particularly in settings where progression has resulted in a deteriorated physical and cognitive condition. We need to recognize that VTE does cause significant problems for some of our patients. We will always need to balance issues of life expectancy, comfort and quality of life, and risk and benefits of anticoagulation, and align these problems with the individual patient, and the family dynamics and desires we encounter.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 18.358822060831keywords = venous thromboembolism, thromboembolism (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Low-molecular-weight heparin in the management of Trousseau's syndrome.BACKGROUND: thrombophlebitis migrans is a major cause of morbidity in approximately 11% of patients with cancer. thrombosis may predate the appearance of malignancy, and patients with thrombosis often respond poorly to warfarin. methods: Four patients with extensive thrombosis and cancer are described in this article. enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, was administered subcutaneously to these patients for 5, 6, 26, and 27 months, respectively. The literature on the management of Trousseau's syndrome was reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: All four patients remained free of venous thromboembolism while being treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, acutely and during follow-up. Previously published studies suggest that therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin results in lower mortality than standard heparin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Further study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin for both prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolism in association with malignancy may lead to decreased morbidity and better quality of life for patients with this disorder.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 19.358822060831keywords = venous thromboembolism, thromboembolism (Clic here for more details about this article) |